Algae,Macroalgae, and vascular plant ban

[Paraletho]

Soon you may not be able to purchase some of your favorite aquarium plants and algaes, if you don't make your voice heard. Texas Parks and Wildlife is proposing a "White List" of plants and algaes deemed acceptable by the State, all others would be illegal to sell import buy or possess in Texas. They are asking for input from the Aquarium trade and Hobby.

Here is a link to the thread in the Houston forum.http://marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=47249&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight= Plants that we want included on this list must go through an analysis of risk. To ask for an analysis and possible inclusion we must have our proposals to them by the 29th of July. Any comments on the propsal itself can be made at the Aug 25th Commission meeting which will be held in San Antonio next month.

I feel that the hobbyist in Texas freshwater and salt need to present a united front as to our opinions on this matter. Pass the word to LFS and other clubs in the State.

[stoneroller]

... and the "ban" is for good cause right? There are many exotics reeking havoc on TXs aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

[justahobby]

I've watched a few environmental scientist during these kinds of debates and they are rarely listened to, unless it's beneficial to the government's wallet. I wouldn't stress a ban until we have a lionfish or caulerpa epidemic.

[stoneroller]

Until an epidemic? Won't it be too late?

[justahobby]

LOL, that was the point I was trying make. Pythons in FL, caulerpa in Cali, lionfish in New England, global coral reef bleaching and over-fishing..... the signs are always there, but legislation always waits on a pandemic.... like the largest oil spill in history. ; )

[stoneroller]

Depressing isn't it. Zebra mussels, Giant Salvinia, Hydrilla, ....

[alton]

As aquarist we have done our part to introduce animals/fish/plants to our natural system that should not be here. But we are not the soul source of getting undesirable things in our hemisphere. Some examples: Fire Ants, Killer Bees, Euroasian Doves and so on. How many things have come hitch hiked to the bottom of a ship or stuck inside of a box? I remember once in 1992 fishing in the Port Isabel ship channel when a friend hooked a Porcupine Puffer, wonder where that came from or snorkeling in Mexico last year when my wife saw a Clown Trigger? What about how the Axis deer is taking over Whitetail habitat? The Red Deer intermixing with our American Elk? The list continues.

[Paraletho]

Actually come to find out microalgae is what is driving this. Specifically the ones that companies are wanting to import to set up algae farms for the the extraction of oils for bio-fuels. I think since they are already in the process of setting up the program and Salvinia molesta is already giving them a fit. Might as well just lump it all into one program.

[stoneroller]

Exotic aquatic plants is driving this, actually, the trouble they cause is driving this.